LF Info: 1996 Virago 1100
Robert Reid
alt.motorcycles.yamaha newsgroup.
Happy New Year.
-Robert Reid
'00 Sprint ST
Gary
Gary
'84 GR650 "blue"
"Johanne" <jg2oasis...@webruler.com> wrote in message
news:nCQQ9.12591$i%.2446735@localhost...
> I'm seriously considering upgrading to a bigger bike this coming season
and
> I'm toying with a few possibilities. I like doing my homework so here
goes.
>
> I know this woman that has a 1996 Virago 1100 for sale. It has ~28,000 KM
> and she's asking $5,500 certified. She's the original owner. The bike is
> apparently very well maintained and is in top notch shape. It has a
> windshield, full leather braided bags and new tires.
>
> I'm especially interested in finding out:
>
> -how the bike performs during long trips?
> -does it have alot of seat/handlebar vibrations?
> -is it heavy/difficult to manoeuvre?
> -how is the center of gravity?
> -how is it on gas?
> -how is its overall performance?
> -is the workmanship good on the bike (breakdowns)? and
> -does that sound like a reasonable price for it?
>
> Any information you'd be willing to share would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Johanne
>
> 2000 Suzuki Marauder GZ250
>
> You know what you have to remove if you want to contact me directly.
>
>
Old Bike Parts
last year for $4000. It was very clear with everything that one has plus a
corbin seat and backrest. They are a good bike. Just not a bike for tall
people...or so I feel. I'd offer her $4800 for it.
Ryan
Bulldog
Good job on doing your homework!
If you speak to Roger at CCBC his wife has one. They really like the
bike as far as I know.
I will as Gary said err on the side of caution, 1100cc is a huge
difference and quite a big bike. Once they move into larger cc's the
manufactures make bigger frames to accommodate the engine. What I am saying
is...this is a large bike. You may want to look at the 750 & 800cc's these
bikes are lighter as well as smaller in size. This will equate is easier
manageability for you.
Err on the side of caution Jo, not to say you won't be able to handle
it, you will, you'll just be more confident on the other!
Ride Free
Bulldog
"Johanne" <jg2oasis...@webruler.com> wrote in message
news:nCQQ9.12591$i%.2446735@localhost...
Gary
750.
"Johanne" <jg2oasis...@webruler.com> wrote in message
news:iRYQ9.12602$i%.2452008@localhost...
> Yes Gary, I'm hesitant about it too because of it being such a big jump.
> Before I bought Sweet Suzie, I went to see a Virago 920 and I found it too
> high and too heavy so like I said, doing my homework here in case (just in
> case) it is a suitable bike for me.
>
> Thanks for your concerns my friend.
>
> I'm curious, is that bike about the same size as Ceeje's previous Virago?
>
> --
> Johanne
>
> 2000 Suzuki Marauder GZ250
>
> You know what you have to remove if you want to contact me directly.
> "Gary" <ontario_6...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:zvRQ9.123432$yW.8...@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
Pierre
bike which I promised to take good care of as I got back in biking after
many years of absense) and then later bought a cherry red 90 Virago 750 and
kept it for a few years before I moved on to my 92 FJ1200 for sport touring.
As I recall, the 750 in 90 was nearly identical in size-weight etc to the
1100 in those years, just the engine of the 1100 was an overbored 750. I
don't think that changed much in the next few iterations of the bike. I had
a great time with the little 535 Virago but it had a tiny tank and limited
get up and go ( and I'm a big big fellow, like an elephant on a tricycle).
The 750 was a sweet bike and I could go all day on it comfort wise, no
vibs/maint issues to comment on as I recall. I really only went to the
FJ1200 cause I thought that the cruiser was still not agile enough on the
corners, etc. (I would not worry about not handling 1100ccs in a cruiser;
you need that for nice safe worry free passing. Worry about 600+ccs on a
sport bike!). I know a chap that had an early 90s 1100 Vigaro and put well
over 100, 000kms on it with no maint!!!! Imagine what it would have done if
he'd washed it!
I still stop and look longingly at a nice Virago; they are one sweet
machine.
Pierre
92FJ1200
Ottawa, Canada
90 Virago 750 for a couple of years before I moved up to my Fj1200
"Johanne" <jg2oasis...@webruler.com> wrote in message
news:X8ZQ9.12609$i%.2452403@localhost...
> I plan on going to the next Techie Talk on the 18th so if he's there, I'll
> definately ask.
>
> As for handling the bike, heck, I don't even know if I can handle the 650
> let alone the 1100 but I owe it to myself to keep my options opened and
see
> for myself. Guess that the "focussed" part of me ;-)
>
> Thanks for your insight.
> --
> Johanne
>
> 2000 Suzuki Marauder GZ250
>
> You know what you have to remove if you want to contact me directly.
> "Bulldog" <bul...@bikerschurch.com> wrote in message
> news:GLXQ9.4593$8n5.8...@news20.bellglobal.com...
Pierre
identical. All the writeups say that Manufacturer: Yamaha
Model: 1997 Virago 750
Engine: OHC, air-cooled v-twin
Bore and Stroke: 83 x 69.2mm
Displacement: 749cc
Carburetion: Dual 40mm Mikuni
Transmission: 5-speed
Wheelbase: 60 in.
Seat Height: 28.1 in.
Fuel Capacity: na
Claimed Dry Weight: 483 lbs.
Manufacturer: Yamaha
Model: 1996 XV1100 Virago Special
Engine: Air-cooled SOHC, 75 degree V-twin
Bore x Stroke: 95.0 x 75.0 mm
Displacement: 1063cc
Carburetion: Dual 40mm Mikuni
Transmission: 5-speed - shaft drive
Wheelbase: 60.0 in.
Seat height: 28.1 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.4 gal.
Claimed dry weight: 487 lbs.
"Pierre" <92fj...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:ZG5R9.134257$E_.3...@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
StiŠky
> Re size wt of the Virago 750 vs the 1100, the specs have them nearly
> identical. All the writeups say that Manufacturer: Yamaha
> Model: 1997 Virago 750
> Engine: OHC, air-cooled v-twin
> Bore and Stroke: 83 x 69.2mm
> Displacement: 749cc
> Carburetion: Dual 40mm Mikuni
> Transmission: 5-speed
> Wheelbase: 60 in.
> Seat Height: 28.1 in.
> Fuel Capacity: na
> Claimed Dry Weight: 483 lbs.
> Manufacturer: Yamaha
> Model: 1996 XV1100 Virago Special
> Engine: Air-cooled SOHC, 75 degree V-twin
> Bore x Stroke: 95.0 x 75.0 mm
> Displacement: 1063cc
> Carburetion: Dual 40mm Mikuni
> Transmission: 5-speed - shaft drive
> Wheelbase: 60.0 in.
> Seat height: 28.1 in.
> Fuel capacity: 4.4 gal.
> Claimed dry weight: 487 lbs.
I've owned both a Virago 750 and 1100 and I found them to be identical
in feel and handling other than an improvement in low-end torque and
more power available at highway speeds with the 1100. You'd have to
look pretty closely at both bikes to spot any differences.
--
StiŠky
stick...@hotmail.com
--
1993 Yamaha Virago XV1100
Pierre
More than I could ever explain 8>)
That review you quoted below basically says that it's not a sport bike so
does not handle like one in the twisties. The suspension/frame is way too
soft/flexible to toss it around hard but you are not going to do that! I did
love that low speed stability; really makes you like an expert when you can
turn on a dime at 3 mph...
Pierre
92FJ1200
Ottawa, Canada
"Johanne" <jg2oasis...@webruler.com> wrote in message
news:BRnR9.12691$i%.2474254@localhost...
> I found a review on this bike and don't understand what they mean in here.
> If someone could explain this to me, I'd really appreciate it. Here's a
> paragraph of the review (full review at
> http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcyam/96_virago11.html):
>
> "The Virago's handling is as good as you'd expect from a long wheelbase
> cruiser. When you build a bike with a low seat height and raked-out forks
as
> design features, it's unfortunately true that ground clearance and
> flickability cannot always be part of the package. This is somewhat true
of
> the Virago. Once the rebound damping is clicked up to position 3 or 4
> (something that can be adjusted from the seat at a stop light), the rear
> shocks handle the task of keeping the rear end on the road admirably. The
> engine is still able to have its way with the rear wheel thanks to the
rear
> drive shaft and crummy tires, but the shaft effect is not unusually
> disconcerting. The front end pogos when pressed, sacrificing handling for
a
> softer ride. The low speed handling and stability, however, are superb. It
> is easy to roll the machine through a U-turn so tight the inside peg
> scrapes."
>
> Here's my question:
>
> What the heck is "rebound damping"? Is that the grooves in the shocks
that
> you can twist for adjusting the suspension on the bike?
>
> --
> Johanne
>
> 2000 Suzuki Marauder GZ250
>
> You know what you have to remove if you want to contact me directly.
paul woodward
In a nutshell bikes with longer wheelbases and forks that are raked out tend
to be quite stable in straight lines but do not turn quickly. Raked out
means an increased fork angle. Fork angle is measured from the verticle. A
bike with forks that went straight down perpendicularly to the ground have a
fork angle of 0 degrees from the vertical. Most Sport bikes have an angle
from 23 - 25 degrees from the vertical while cruisers tend to be closer to
30 degrees or more. The closer to 0 the fork angle the easier a bike will
turn into a corner. Of course too steep, or closer to zero, will produce a
bike that is very twitchy and sensitive to the smallest steering inputs.
As a general rule the higher the steering angle as in a cruiser the more
stable the bike in a straight line but the more difficult to turn. The
lower the steering angle the easier to turn but with some reduction in
straight line stability. One is usually a trade off with the other. There
is another factor called "trail" but I will probably confuse you more than I
already am so best left for another time.
Paul
VTR